Year 10 - Music
Composing a chord sequence for a pop song
Introduction to pop music
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Unit Summary
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Lesson Summary
You will learn to compose a chord sequence for a pop song.
Key Notes
- Chord sequences provide the harmony of a song. Chords I, IV, V and vi are the most common.
- Roman numerals refer to degrees of the scale which allow musicians to work out chord patterns in different keys.
- We have performed the I - V - vi - IV chord sequence in the key of C, F and G and composed a 4- or 8-bar sequence.
- When writing chord sequences for a pop song, we also need to consider using common notes from the riff.
Vocabulary To Learn
- chord sequence: a repeating pattern of chords also referred to as a chord progression or pattern
- harmony: the notes that accompany the melody of a song; the chord sequence provides the harmony in music
- chords I, IV, V and vi: chords I, IV, V and vi are the four main chords in pop music; I - V - vi - IV is a very popular chord sequence
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Chord sequences have to follow fixed rules exactly.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Chord sequences provide the harmony of a song. Chords I, IV, V and vi are the most common. Roman numerals refer to degrees of the scale which allow musicians to work out chord patterns in different keys.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'chord sequence'
a repeating pattern of chords also referred to as a chord progression or pattern.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Chord sequences have to follow fixed rules exactly. Correction: We use parameters as a guide to give a musical starting point for composing, but sometimes you might find other chords work. Always encourage pupils to try out a few ideas and perform their ideas so they can hear what they sound like.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 10 Music guide library.